Geranium named `Guichara`

ABSTRACT

A new geranium plant named `Guichara`, characterized by double-type flowers with 16-22 petals per flower which are mauve-violet in color; a corolla with a diameter of approximately 50 mm; early flowering which is luxuriant in the summer; plant habit that exhibits branching with good ramification and internode length of approximately 40 to 50 mm; plant height of approximately 30 to 35 cm; ivy-shaped foliage with a diameter of approximately 80 to 100 mm and foliage that lacks variegation but exhibits brown zonation and slightly jagged edges.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of geranium,botanically known as Pelargonium peltatum 1'Her. ex Ait, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name `Guichara`. `Guichara` is a product ofplanned breeding program which had the objective of creating newgeranium varieties cultivars with a mauve-violet flower color andcompact and well-branched plant habit.

It is anticipated that this plant will be domestically marketed underthe synonym `Charade`.

`Guichara` was originated from a hybridization made in a controlledbreeding program in Saint Malo, Bretagne, France in 1991. The male andfemale parents were `Roasias` and `Amethiste`, respectively, from theproprietary Guillou collection. Both parents have mauve violet flowercolor and double-type flowers.

`Guichara` was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross by the inventors in 1991 in a controlledenvironment in Saint Malo, France.

The first act of asexual reproduction, of `Guichara` was accomplishedwhen vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in 1994in a controlled environment in Haalderen, The Netherlands, by atechnician working under the supervision of the inventors. Horticulturalexamination of selected units initiated in 1994 has demonstrated thatthe combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for `Guichara`are firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations ofasexual reproduction.

`Guichara` has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary with variations in environment suchas temperature, light intensity, and daylength, without any change ingenotype. The following observations, measurements, and comparisonsdescribe plants grown in Haalderen, The Netherlands, under greenhouseconditions which approximate those generally used in commercialpractice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed to be basiccharacteristics of `Guichara` which in combination distinguish thisgeranium as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Mauve violet double-type flowers.

2. Green foliage with slightly serrated edges.

3. Early-flowering which is luxuriant in summer.

4. Regular flowers displayed on attractive foliage.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventors,`Guichara` most closely resembles `Rodhaman`. Unlike `Rodhaman`,however, `Guichara` is resistant to oedema. `Guichara` grows morevigorously than the parent `Amethiste` and flowering is earlier and moreabundant. `Guichara` roots more quickly than either parent.

The accompanying photographic drawings show typical flower and foliagecharacteristics of `Guichara`.

Sheet 1 is a side view of a plant showing open and closed flowers.

Sheet 2 is a top and bottom view of an individual flower from thecultivar.

Sheet 3 is a top and bottom view of an individual leaf from `Guichara`.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart. The color values weredetermined indoors in 1996 under greenhouse conditions at Haalderen, TheNetherlands. Colors are as true as possible with illustrations of thistype.

Classification:

Botanical.--Pelargonium peltatum l'Her. ex Ait. cv. `Guichara`.

Commercial.--Ivy geranium `Charade`.

Inflorescence

A. Umbel:

Average diameter.--60-80 mm.

Average depth.--35 mm.

Pedicel length.--70-120 mm in greenhouse.

B. Corolla:

Average diameter.--50 mm.

Form.--Double-type.

Number of petals.--16-22.

Color (generally tonality from a distance of three meters).--Mauveviolet.

Color (abaxial).--Approx. R.H.S. 81b.

Color (adaxial).--Approx. R.H.S. 81c.

C. Bud:

Shape.--10 mm.

Color (abaxial).--Approx. R.H.S. 81B.

Color (adaxial).--Approx. R.H.S. 81B.

D. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--not strong/not copious.

Gynoecium.--Strongly developed.

E. Spring flowering response period: 8-6 flowers opened 15 weeks afterplanting of unrooted cuttings (pinched plants).

F. Outdoor flower production: abundant in summer producing about 15flowers per peduncle.

G. Durability: Shatter resistance medium.

Plant

A. Foliage:

Form.--Ivy-shaped.

Margin.--Slightly jagged; diameter 80-100 mm.

Color (abaxial).--Slightly dark green.

Color (adaxial).--Slightly dark green.

Color (zonation).--Brown.

Variegation.--None.

Margin.--Green.

B. General appearance and form:

Internode length.--40-50 mm.

Branching pattern.--Good ramification.

Height.--30-35 cm.

C. Tolerance to botrytis: Good resistance.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of geranium plant named`Guichara`, as illustrated and described.